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Washington Redskins have improved, but enough to win NFC East?

By Dan Salem

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Have the Washington Redskins improved enough to shoot up the standings and win the NFC East next season? Quarterback aside, Washington can win with defense and coaching in 2015.  Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

While some of their NFC East peers have been gobbling up all the headlines, the Washington Redskins have been laying low thus far this March. They lost a few notable pieces through free agency while adding a few others, but outside of that, Washington has remained on the back pages.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As we pointed out when discussing the Saints, making waves doesn’t always translate to making future wins.

For Washington, I kind of like where it is set up. A lot comes back to its starting quarterback (whoever he might be), but put a pin in that for a second. First off, the Skins weren’t as bad last season as their 4-12 record might indicate. They lost three different road games by fewer than five points apiece. They also shuffled in three different quarterbacks throughout the year.

As the 2015 roster stands now, the offense looks like it has potential. The team needs some offensive line help, but who doesn’t? It already has good wide receiver weapons, and although the departure of Roy Helu hurts, he is a replaceable part.

On defense is where Washington has really made some strides. Brian Orakpo is gone, but the team has beefed up (literally!) its interior line to compensate. Pork chop Knighton and Stephen Paea were both added up front, and Chris Culliver was brought on for some depth at corner. It still needs a safety and an outside backer to play opposite Ryan Kerrigan, but this roster isn’t very far away.

Dec 28, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back

DeMarco Murray

(29) carries the ball as Washington Redskins inside linebacker

Keenan Robinson

(52) tackles in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 44-17. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In addition, is there anything better than when a team adds a former head coach or main coordinator for a lesser position? It’s like the ultimate over-qualified hire. Here, the Skins brought in former Giants d-coordinator Perry Fewell to be their defensive backs coach as well as Bill Callahan to be their offensive line coach. I say win-win.

I hate to always harp on this, but it really just comes down to the production at the quarterback position. With a good year out of a QB, Washington can win this division. With a so-so year or up-and-down production, they don’t have a very good chance. Robert Griffin is still here; Colt McCoy was re-signed; Kirk Cousins is still around; Marcus Mariota’s name has been floated around. Are any of these guys the answer? If not, am I too high on Washington?

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DAN:

If the Washington Redskins played in a different division, I’d be higher on them heading towards the 2015 season. But in the NFC East, where all three of their competition also underachieved to a point last season, the Redskins are stuck firmly on the outside.

Keeping things about Washington, the team finished 13th overall in total offense last season. That’s certainly an excellent point for improvement, and I’m not concerned about replacing Roy Helu either. He never felt like a true piece of the offense, even if his abilities were there. The problem for the Redskins is that their NFC East competition all ranked in the top ten last season. They will continue to be dominant.

Defense will have to be the Redskins strength in 2015 if they are to topple the strong offenses of the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants. Add to that a weak set of defensive units in regards to total yards coming from those same teams, and Washington can keep up.

Dec 20, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins fullback Darrel Young (36) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

I’m encouraged by the Redskins’ quiet offseason so far. The 2015 NFL draft has a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball. For the Redskins to focus on the draft is a smart decision, considering the strong personnel already on roster. But their defensive backfield still needs work.

Count me as an RG III fan who believes he simply needs to get his head right to succeed. Changing from a run first mentality is challenging, but he can find success as a Russell Wilson type passer on an offense full of weapons. The key again is defense. In Seattle that unit ALWAYS picks up the offense during a game. The Redskins need the same reliability from their defense in a division that must face off against top level quarterbacks and offensive schemes.

The Cowboys are not taking a step back and its likely the Giants step forward. Something must change for Washington, and it has. In a game where the difference between plays and a player’s success is so small, I too see a lot coming from a team’s coaching staff.

Adding former coaching leaders to lesser positions will go a long way towards elevating the entire Washington Redskins team. What isn’t guaranteed are the player’s buying in. And the line play. That will make or break the Skins next season.

Next: Should the Redskins add a running back in the draft?

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